Standing a slender 204cm tall and sporting masses of curly brown hair Italy's Alessandro Fei cuts an impressive figure on the volleyball court. Throw in his powerful attacking and subtle defensive games and he is one both spectators and opposing teams will watch with respective joy and caution in this year's World League. Fei is part of an Italian squad recently rejuvenated by new coach Gian Paolo Montali. The move is timely as the most successful squad in the history of the World League faces the unenviable task of trying to forget last year's humiliating fourth-place finish.

Since the inception of the World League in 1990 Italy has won the tournament eight times and have never finished worse than fourth, indeed they dominated the competition during the 1990's and this perhaps puts pressure on the Squadra Azzuri, who will be counting on the likes of the experienced Fei, who boasts 86 caps, as 10 new players making their debut in the League.
The 24-year-old will have the integral roles of middle blocker and outside hitter, but he's proven that he can lift his game when it most counts and they can count on him to handle the pressure of the World League.

In last year's edition he finished third in the best scorer rankings and was one of the most consistent scorers at last year's finals. And since making his international debut in 1998, he has picked up a gold medal at the World Championship in 1998 and two World League titles in 1999 and 2000 for his rapidly expanding trophy cabinet.

While still relatively young, Fei, who wears the No. 14 jersey for Italy, has already had some valuable experience. After starting his club career with Foiano della Chiana in 1991 at the tender age of 12, the lanky Italian is now an integral member of another Italian club Sisley Treviso, where he has teamed up with his two international teammates, Valerio Vermiglio and Samuele Papi.